Familiar faces and new names will be competing for the EU’s top jobs, as capitals are starting to manoeuvre and prepare the ground for their preferred candidates, EURACTIV has found out after talking to EU officials and diplomats.

The anticipated loss of European funds in the European Union's new long-term budget has been the main theme in the Portuguese EU election campaign, which are seen as a warming up for the national elections in October. EURACTIV’s media partner Lusa reports.

EU elections could make Italy's ruling Lega the biggest far-right party in the new European Parliament, elevating its leader, Matteo Salvini, to the status of a torchbearer for the populist camp. But they could also plunge the country in political turmoil.

Frans Timmermans, the Socialists’ leading candidate, has promised a sustainable Europe if he is given the nod to lead the next European Commission. But how sustainable are the Dutchman’s green credentials?

British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected on Friday (24 May) to announce the date of her departure, triggering a contest that will bring a new leader to power who is likely to push for a more decisive Brexit divorce deal.

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. Before reading The Capitals today, take a look at our EURACTIV network stories about the upcoming #EU2019 elections....

Lithuanians choose a new president on Sunday (26 May) in a tight runoff between two centre-right rivals, an ex-finance minister and a political newcomer, in a race dominated by concerns over economic inequality in the Baltic eurozone state.

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Elections for the European Parliament in 28 member states are underway. EURACTIV will be on the frontline, reporting from the Parliament and the national capitals with election updates. Follow us here for the news as it happens.

Besides electing their new European Parliament members on Sunday (26 May), Romanians will be taking part in another vote: a referendum which their president says lets voters express their frustration over corruption. President Klaus Iohannis called the referendum over the...

Phased EU-wide elections take place in Ireland on Friday (24 May) after a campaign dominated by concerns over neighbouring Britain's messy bid to leave the bloc, and as eurosceptic forces elsewhere in Europe hope to create a political earthquake.

Czechs will start voting Friday (24 May) in the European Parliament election, with the party of their embattled billionaire prime minister set to win amid expected low turnout and despite protests against his cabinet.

Germany celebrates today the 70th birthday of its constitution, a document Germans are rightly proud of, as it sets out the country’s key values with the aim to create a tolerant, European-driven country. In these turbulent times, Germany still represents a solid anchor of stability in Europe. But...

What do European citizens expect of the European Union? As the elections officially began on 23 May in the UK and the Netherlands, EURACTIV spoke to Guillaume Klossa, president of the Civico Europa citizen movement, which launched the WeEuropeans consultation in 27 European Union countries.

Hungary is now caught in an anti-migration and xenophobic discourse as the society did not have the chance to learn or prepare enough, and now it seems almost impossible to change this situation, writes Marcell Lörincz.

In his usual straightforward manner, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has disclosed that French President Emmanuel Macron has consulted him this week to prepare the summit on 28 May when the future EU top jobs will be discussed for the first time.

A new industrial policy for Europe, more support for small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and improved tax policy are common priorities of the European political families for the next mandate, while a review of the ECB mandate is also included in the manifestos of many parties for the EU elections.